13(For not the hearers of
the law are just before God, but the doers of the
law shall be justified. (Rom 2:)

Before I begin this article, let's see what the dictionary has to say
about justification: "To show a person to be right or just or
reasonable; to make free from blame or guilt."

The implication here is that
a person seeking to be justified wishes, not necessarily to be
right, or just, or reasonable, but to be made or seen
as right, just or reasonable.

What we've looked at above
is the world's view of justification, that is to say, the secular view.
In the churches there's a popular expression regarding the act of
justification that says much the same thing. That expression is: "To be
just-as-if-I-had never sinned." And I suppose such a statement fits the
bill as far as we've looked into the matter to this point.

We found that to be
justified is to be made free from blame or guilt. How can we go about
being free from blame or guilt? I can think of some ways we might
accomplish this and yet continue in the act that causes us to need to
seek justification in the first place. One thing I can do is hang
around with a bunch of people who also do the things I do. They'll give
me plenty of reasons why I should do what I'm doing, plenty of
justifications, and because of all the social support, I will feel my
actions are normal and ok, so I'll also be free from guilt.

The above method works well,
until I'm caught by those in society who do not feel as I and my
associates do, then there are steel bars I have to contend with. What
now? How can I justify myself now? Well, of course I can plead my
innocence, saying I was set up, or that it was my parent's fault that
I'm this way, or that it was just a mistake and it will never happen
again. You know these copouts because you've used them yourself.

If these excuses do not open
the iron doors, then what? Well, that's what high priced lawyers are
for, to seek "justice" for those who have been caught red-handed doing
what they ought not. Do lawyers try to convince the person to stop
doing what they have been doing that causes them to need justification,
to be made to appear as if they have been right, reasonable or just? Of
course not, their job is to get the unjust to appear as just so they
don't have to suffer the consequences for their unjust behavior.

When a person has been
caught and convicted of an unjustifiable act, what happens then? Well,
that person could work harder at what they have been doing that got
them in trouble, trying to find ways not to get caught in the future.
Or he might seek to turn his life around and stop doing what he has
been doing that causes him to seek justification, thereby no longer
having to worry about the consequences of being unjust.

Let's say this person
decides to do the latter of the two choices, what might he do? I should
think the first thing he might do is separate himself from his circle
of friends who do as he had been doing, and who are ready, able and
willing to justify him and his actions; and instead seek a place where
his new behavior will be seen as acceptable and appropriate.

Before we look into this second option, let's take a closer look at the
word Justification:

When we've been a bad boy
(or girl, as the case may be) we will subsequently find ourself before
a judge. At this point we can do one of two things: we can seek
justice, if we think we have been "just" at all: Or, if we know there's
no out for us in the realm of justice, we might cry for mercy.

Let's say we go for the
justice plea. Just what is justice? Let's again
look into our dictionary. Justice: "Just treatment; Innocent,
righteous."

"Innocent, righteous."
Neither of these fit us, so we're in big trouble. The Bible speaks
often about being just, such as Noah was just, and for his being just
he was saved from the flood. Maybe, even though we're miserable
sinners, we may also be just. What does the dictionary say about the
just?

Just: "Deserved, in right
amounts." Well, I guess we're still in trouble. If we get what we
deserve, and in the right amount, we'll be in deep dudu. I suppose our
best option is to plead for mercy.

Mercy: "Refraining from
inflicting punishment or pain on an enemy or offender who is in one's
power." That's a mouth full. Let's go with the churches definition of
mercy: "Unmerited favor," It's easier to write and to remember.

The Bible speaks a lot about
mercy, let's see if we can find something in the Bible to get us off
the hook:

7Blessed
are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
(Mat 5:)

You mean I have to show
mercy if I expect to receive mercy? That doesn't
sound fair does it? That smacks to me of the little kid who likes to
hit people and kick then in the shins, but he cries to momma if someone
hits him back. If I have to expect the same treatment from the judge
that I've shown others in the past, I don't think pleading for mercy is
going to do me any good.

Maybe we have a picture, an
example of mercy being shown someone who has been unmerciful That may
soften the blow just a bit. Let's give it a try, shall we?

19There was a certain rich man, which was
clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And
there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate,
full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with
the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came
and licked his sores. 22And it came to pass,
that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's
bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And
in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar
off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried
and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me,
and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and
cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. (Luke 16:)

Here we have a picture of someone in the same fix we're in, and he's
crying for mercy. His position and condition is certainly not a
favorable one, but he is crying for mercy. And
all he's asking for is a little water for his tongue. Surely "Father
Abraham" will grant him that little request:

25But Abraham said, Son, remember that
thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus
evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art
tormented.

It looks like this man who plead for mercy couldn't even get a drop of
water for his tongue. I suspect mercy is not the best way to go. Let's
look again at our options:

Our first option we found
was to return to our old lifestyle, but that will only lead us back to
the situation we now find ourself in. The second option is to change
our ways and place ourself out of harm's way. That's difficult for
someone like me to do, how about you? Let's try for a third option
whereby we can retain our nasty nature and still reap the rewards of
peace and a free conscience. Let's try the Church.

What can I expect from
Church? Well the first thing I would expect to
find at Church is opposition to, and condemnation for, the person I had
been, and at the same time help to become, and acceptance for the
person I should become. A second thing I would expect is to hear all
the ways a person must live in order to be accepted in the Church, and
in the eyes of God. I would also expect to see people striving for that
very perfection God demands of His people, and those who will be
qualified to stand in His presence.

That is what I would expect
to find in church.

What I find instead is,
justification for the person I had been in that, if I have been dipped
in water, I am seen as justified in the eyes Almighty God, and even if
I live the life that got me in trouble, God will still accept me. Isn't
that is what I heard from those previously that caused me to be in
trouble in the first place?

Those in church I find are
told, and therefore feel, that they are already perfect in God's eyes,
and therefore do not have to change or strive to better themselves.
They hear that it's a nice thing to do, that is it's suggested
we try and be nice people, show mercy to others, be good parents, do
nice things; but if we choose to do otherwise, God accepts that too.
Again, that's much the same as what I heard in my old circle of friends.

What then do I receive from
this newfound group I've intrusted my future to that I didn't have
before?

I find that I can take on a
new life, be able to stand "justified" ("just as if I had never
sinned") before God, and not have to suffer the consequences for my
wrongdoings. I can now continue in debauchery with a clear conscience,
and without condemnation from those around me. And, on top of all these
blessings, I no longer have to fear the Judgement or the fiery pit, and
I can now point a finger of accusation at those who have not been so
wise as to follow my example.

This is what I've gained by
joining the church, and I'm told that all this is sufficient to appease
and please the Almighty Judge.

I wonder how effective I
will find my decision to have been when I have to stand before that human
judge?

23For
all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a
propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness
for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of
God; 26To declare, I say, at this time his
righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier
of him which believeth in Jesus. 27Where
is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by
the law of faith. 28Therefore we conclude
that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.29Is he the God of the Jews only? is he
not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30Seeing
it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and
uncircumcision through faith. 31Do we then make
void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. (Rom
3:)

13(For
not the hearers of the law are
just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14For when the Gentiles, which have not
the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having
not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15Which
show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also
bearing witness, and their
thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16In
the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ
according to my gospel. (Rom 2:)

17Even
so faith, if it hath not works, is dead,
being alone. 18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast
faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I
will show thee my faith by my works. 19Thou
believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble. 20But wilt
thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?21Was not Abraham our father justified by
works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest
thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was
faith made perfect? 23And the
scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was
imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of
God. 24Ye see then how that BY
WORKS A MAN IS JUSTIFIED, AND NOT BY FAITH ONLY. 25Likewise
also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when
she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26For
as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead
also. (James 2:)